Smart Aging: Healthy Futures
Fifty-two percent of older Mississippians live in rural areas, and over eighty percent of elderly Mississippians live in their own family dwellings. The challenge for Mississippi is finding ways to maintain and improve the health of our senior residents while ensuring them the freedom of residing in their own homes. This is especially true for rural areas with less formal support for seniors’ health and well being.
Based upon that need, the Smart Aging: Healthy Futures project was developed by Mississippi State University Extension Service, with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture, to help communities foster the healthy aging of their senior populations.
The project has three primary objectives:
- To identify specific community resources and deficits relative to supporting the health and health care needs of a community’s rural senior population
- To engage communities in grassroots efforts to improve the health and health care accessibility of their rural senior populations
- To initiate various health promotion activities and educational programs targeting rural aging populations within communities and their families and support systems
The project was originally conducted in Oktibbeha, Clay, Copiah and Lincoln Counties. In Copiah and Lincoln counties, the project was directed in cooperation with Copiah – Lincoln Community College. Early successes led to the project being expanded to include the city of Pascagoula. Findings of and materials produced for the project are here to assist other communities and seniors throughout the state as we all work towards the goal of achieving a healthy future.
Publications
News
STARKVILLE, Miss.—A Mississippi State associate professor is being honored as a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America.
Parents dealing with COVID-19 closings are working daily to find safe child care for young children when most of the traditional summer options are gone.
During your outdoor outings, you'll want to take some steps to ensure your food doesn't spoil in the cooler.
With many summer attractions closed or limited due to COVID-19, people are heading into the great outdoors. As you’re exploring nature, you don’t want to have a run-in with the dreaded poison ivy.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Knowing the difference between quarantining and isolating is critical in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
On June 15, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported the COVID-19 case total exceeded 20,000, with more than 900 deaths. Rising along with those numbers is the seven-day average of cases by date when the patients became sick. MSDH data indicate an average of around 300 cases per day through the first half of June compared to approximately 250 daily at the beginning of May.
Success Stories
In this "What's New in Extension," Extension agents implement better safety standards, train to deliver Mental Health First Aid, and receive national recognition. Also, new irrigation and specialists join the Extension family.
Start small, but start today. That’s what Scott Stokes was thinking last year when he brought out his bicycle after a 12-year hiatus and started riding again. A new Mississippi State University Extension Service program encouraged him to get back on track. (Photo by Kevin Hudson)
Winston 100 Wellness on Wheels cyclists ride through the Noxubee Wildlife Refuge as the sun rises over a cool fall 2018 morning.
See what's new in Extension: Gather for First Extension Beef-Production Workshop, the Food Factor Goes Digital, Extension Professionals Share Expertise, and Extension Offers New HappyHealthy Program.
From the youngest to the oldest generations, thousands of people are visiting, shopping, and enjoying themselves at the Hernando Farmers’ Market, held Saturdays on the historic DeSoto County Courthouse lawn.
The market has more than just fresh produce. It connects the community by uniting the shoppers, producers, and artisans who come.
Watch
Conversations about Coronavirus: Interview with Wayne Madkin
Monday, April 27, 2020 - 11:30am
